Top 10 Most Powerful Characters in Middle Earth
He created everything, and he is God, so he's #1, obviously.
The first and most powerful of the Ainur, who rebelled against Eru Ilúvatar and sought to dominate Middle-earth. He was eventually defeated and cast into the Void by the Valar. Even though Iluvatar is more powerful, I chose Morgoth because he's the most powerful of the Valar.
He subjugated millions of Elves, brainwashed two-thirds of all Men, and made them the Haradrim and Rhun-Men (Easterlings). Morgoth had three servants more powerful than all Ainur except the fourteen: Thuringwethil, the beautiful she-Vampire, Gothmog, the Powerful, and Sauron, the Feared (Mairon the Admirable). He was also depicted as being around 100 feet tall in many works of art, although he was more likely about 20 feet. Imagine a 30-meter tall black metal monster with a giant fire scepter walking toward you. (For scale, Annatar Sauron is around 3 meters tall, the average human male is 1.6 meters, and the height of a T-Rex is 15 meters.)
Morgoth was the origin of evil. Sauron expended his (tiny) power in the War of Wrath, revealing himself to be millions of times weaker than Morgoth. Sauron fled like a little weasel while Gothmog and Thuringwethil were killed by warriors of good. Morgoth was imprisoned into a 5-centimeter ring of gold, but he had expended his power into the entire world. That's why Morgoth lost the War of Wrath. Sauron piggybacked off Morgoth's creation of evil and used Morgoth's foot soldiers, dragons, and Balrogs as lieutenants. Morgoth created all evil, while Sauron simply manipulated it. In this way, Morgoth can never die.
A Valar known for his unmatched strength and prowess in combat, he played a crucial role in the defeat of Morgoth. He is described as joyful and fearless. He defeated Morgoth easily... enough said.
One of the Valar, Aulë is the master of crafts, responsible for shaping the physical world and creating the Dwarves. He taught the Noldor many of their skills in smithing and craftsmanship.
A Noldorin elf of immense power, she wielded the Elven Ring Nenya and played a crucial role in the downfall of Sauron. She was known for her wisdom and her ability to resist the corruption of the One Ring.
A Maia who served Morgoth and later sought to dominate Middle-earth with the One Ring. He was ultimately defeated when the Ring was destroyed in Mount Doom. He should be above Galadriel in power. Galadriel is powerful, no question, but she couldn't kill Sauron. All she could do was banish him, and she had a hard time even doing that.
The smartest of Melkor's servants, only he could have thought up using the Rings to control Middle Earth.
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He is the one destined to kill Morgoth. It is stated that Morgoth threw everything he had at him, but Túrin then thrust Gurthang through his heart, and all evil will be defeated.
An Elf of great power, he played a key role in the defense of Rivendell and in earlier ages. He was sent back to Middle-earth after his death in the First Age to aid in the fight against Sauron.
A mysterious and enigmatic figure whose origins and nature are unclear but who appears to be unaffected by the power of the One Ring. He resides in the Old Forest and protects the region. It's true that Iluvatar is God in Tolkien's world, but Tolkien hinted that Bombadil was something like "Iluvatar's baby brother," with essentially more power than anyone or anything else. However, he didn't care to wield it in any way except to be left alone.
None of the characters can use the One Ring without it affecting them. The only one more powerful is Tom Bombadil, as the Ring has no effect on him. He is older and more powerful than it.
I agree with you. Tom Bombadil has a lot of power but never uses it in helpful ways, except for himself.
A Maia sent by the Valar to assist the peoples of Middle-earth in their struggle against Sauron. He played a pivotal role in the events of the War of the Ring. Nothing more needs to be said. He was so strong in The Return of the King, and he didn't even harness his full potential.
He knew most things about Sauron and what happened before The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit.
The heir of Isildur and the rightful King of Gondor, he led the forces of the Free Peoples during the War of the Ring. He played a crucial role in the defeat of Sauron and the restoration of the throne of Gondor.
A Sindarin elf and prince of the Woodland Realm, he was a skilled archer and member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He played a key role in many battles during the War of the Ring. I think he is definitely the strongest...
The mightiest of Morgoth's winged dragons, whose defeat by Eärendil marked a turning point in the War of Wrath. His fall destroyed the peaks of Thangorodrim. The largest character in Middle Earth, Ancalagon nearly destroyed all of northern Middle Earth when he landed on (and crushed) a volcanic mountain chain.
A powerful servant of Morgoth who dwelt in the depths of Moria after fleeing the War of Wrath. It was defeated by Gandalf during the Fellowship's journey through Khazad-dûm. The Balrog/Maiar known as Durin's Bane singlehandedly destroyed the dwarven kingdom of Moria and also defeated Gandalf the Grey (another powerful Maiar) in its final fight (dying in the process).
Out of all the beings in Middle Earth (during the Third Age anyway), it was definitely one of the most powerful. It should be ranked higher. How can Legolas or Aragorn be ranked higher? It's like comparing a tank to a pistol. If Gandalf hadn't been with the Fellowship, all of them would have been killed with ease by the Balrog.
The Half-elven lord of Rivendell, he was a wise leader and healer who played a key role in the resistance against Sauron. He hosted the Council that decided the fate of the One Ring.
A powerful and cunning dragon who captured the Lonely Mountain and its treasure. He was slain by Bard the Bowman during the events of The Hobbit.
The most powerful of Sauron's servants, he led the forces of Mordor in the War of the Ring. He was prophesied to be slain by no man and was defeated by Éowyn and Merry during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
A Maia and former leader of the Istari, he sought to rival Sauron by creating his own power base. His betrayal and eventual downfall were central to the events leading up to the War of the Ring.
A High King of the Noldor, renowned for his courage and martial prowess. He famously fought Morgoth in single combat, wounding him before his own death. I don't see how all these Elder Days warriors are behind all these Lord of the Rings characters. Tolkien's whole purpose in writing The Silmarillion was to point out how everything was much more powerful before the Age of Men started.
A primordial being of great darkness and hunger, she aided Morgoth in destroying the Two Trees of Valinor. She later devoured herself in her insatiable hunger. "And still she thirsted, and going to the Wells of Varda she drank them dry. Ungoliant belched forth black vapors as she drank and swelled to a shape so vast and hideous that Melkor was afraid."
She basically consumed everything. A being that brings fear to the embodiment of evil says a lot.
Probably #2, only behind Iluvatar. Possibly, Bombadil was powerful enough to force her out of his personal realm and leave him alone.
Not enough is known about Tulkas to predict how he would fare against her.
The Lord of the Balrogs and a chief lieutenant of Morgoth during the First Age. He was responsible for the deaths of several notable Elves, including Fëanor and Fingon.
A Dwarf of the House of Durin and member of the Fellowship of the Ring, he was known for his bravery and skill in battle. He formed an unlikely friendship with Legolas, representing unity between Elves and Dwarves.
A leader of the Uruk-hai created by Saruman, he commanded the forces that captured Merry and Pippin. He was slain by Aragorn at Amon Hen.